Bettie Jean Beasley “Miss Betty” Callahan was born in Andalusia, AL on January 3, 1939 and passed away peacefully at her home in Theodore, AL. “Miss Betty” is preceded by her father Joseph Thomas Beasley, Sr.; her mother, Eulean Connor Beasley; her brother, Joseph Thomas Beasley, Jr.; her step-brothers, James William Patterson and Randel Reuel Patterson; and her mother-in-law, Fannie Bell Fisher Callahan; sisters-in-law, Patsy Dempster and Margaret Ann Athey; brothers-in-law, Charlie Callahan and Terry Callahan.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, former State Senator George M. Callahan, Sr.; her two sons, George “Mike” Callahan, Jr. (Gloria) and Gregory M. Callahan (Lisa). Also her sister, Patricia “Trish” Patterson Evans and her husband Al; brother Pat Patterson and sister-in-law Barbara Beasley; her grandchildren, Brittany Callahan, Matthew and Breanna Callahan; her sisters-in-law, Sissy Martin, Mary Jane Emmick, and Rose Marie Callahan; her brother-in-law Honorable H.L. “Sonny” Callahan and his wife, Karen; as well as many nephews, nieces and faithful friend, Bettie Rodgers.
Known by many as “Miss Betty”, she was also called “Jean” or “Jean-Jean” by her family. She enjoyed traveling to Europe and elsewhere with her sister-in-law, Sissy Martin, and often travelled with George throughout the United States – including their week long 50th anniversary/honeymoon to Hawaii. She considered herself a homebody and enjoyed the home that they built together 30 years ago, and working in the yard. She loved animals, especially her dogs Duke, Jessie, and her latest Scooter-Louise. Beside friends, she collected Pink Glassware, antique furniture, old wood burning stoves. She loved old convertible automobiles and was the proud owner of a 1967 Ford GTA convertible as well a BMW and a Mercedes.
“Miss Betty” was faithful member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and was active in the spring festival. She was the founder of “Miss Betty’s Egg Store” and sold thousands of confetti eggs as a fund raiser for the school over the years.
Service for “Miss Betty” will be held on Monday, June 18th at 11:00 a.m., preceded by a visitation for family and friends at 10:00 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church on Three Notch Road. Burial will follow at Pine Crest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to St. Vincent School to aid in the rebuilding after an earlier fire. The family would like to thank Michelle Fetterhoff, Cynthia Pledger, and Suann Green for their kindness to “Miss Betty”, and Kindred Hospice for all they did during the past few weeks.
